Jumping for joy: Rutherford enjoys the moment after winning second major gold

Two days ago, Greg Rutherford’s hopes of the Commonwealth title were dangling by a thread, now the new long jump champion is hopeful of adding European gold to his medal haul.

A hamstring problem had left him admitting he was being “held together by tape” and led to his London-based physiotherapist driving up to Scotland to treat him.

Thankfully, the ailment did not flare up in last night’s final and Rutherford was fit enough to add the Commonwealth crown to the Olympic title won two years ago, clinching gold with a best jump of 8.21metres here at Hampden Park.

Commonwealth Games - Best sporting images

Commonwealth Games - Best sporting images

1/12
Going freestyle

Brittany Elmslie of Australia competes in the Women's 200m Freestyle Heat 2 at Tollcross International Swimming Centre during day one of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. (Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

3/12
Hoop-la

Gemma Lightbourne of Bermuda takes part in the Team Final and Individual Qualification of the Rhythmic Gymnastics competition on the opening day of competition of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow .
(Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)

4/12
First gold

Englands Jodie Stimpson crosses the line to win the Womens Triathlon, at Strathclyde Country Park during the 2014 Commonwealth Games near Glasgow. (Picture: Martin Rickett/PA)

5/12
Under starter orders

Athletes dive into the water at the start of the Men's Triathlon at Strathclyde Country Park during day one of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. (Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

6/12
Going for goal

Oonagh McCullough of Northern Ireland shoots during the Preliminary Round Group A match between Malawai and Northern Ireland at SECC Precinct during day one of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Picture Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

7/12
Judo chop!

Nekoda Davis of England (blue) beats Jessica Klimkait of Canada in the Women's 57kg Judo Semi Final at SECC Precinct during day one of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Picture: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

8/12
Lift it

Rasaq Tanimowo of Nigeria competes in the Men's 56Kg Group B Clean and Jerk Weightlifting at the Scottish Exhibition And Conference Centre during day one of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Picture: Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

9/12
Anyone for Squash?

Scotland's Clyne Allen in action against St Vincent and the Grenedines' Kevin Hannaway in the Squash Men's Singles Round of 64 at Scotstoun Sports Campus during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. (Picture: Peter Byrne/PA)

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Welsh wizards

Wales' Susie Gilbert evades a challenge from Wales' Xenna Hughes in their opening round match at the National Hockey Centre during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. (Picture: John Giles/PA)

11/12
Wiggins & Co

England's Men's Team Pursuit team lead by Sir Bradley Wiggins (right) of during Qualifying in the 4000m Team Pursuit at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. (Picture: David Davies/PA)

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Spanning acroos the water

Katerine Savard of Canada competes in the Women's 100m Butterfly Heat 3 at Tollcross International Swimming Centre during day one of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. (Picture: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Rutherford has had a torrid time with injuries throughout his career, repeatedly suffering hamstring tears. The most recent one last season was so severe, he genuinely wondered whether he would ever return to the sport.

Despite this latest worry, the 27-year-old insisted he would be fully fit for Zurich when he will again be the favourite for gold.

“There’s 17 days between then and now, and that’s plenty of time,” said Rutherford, whose recovery rate from injuries has defied doctors in the past. “I’ve come back from injuries — hamstring tears even — quicker than that, and there’s no actual injury here.

“I’m just a little bit tired but there is that danger you suffer a minor crash after a major championships, that you sort of exhale. But on Monday morning it will be back to the track. I’ve got the Olympic and Commonwealth gold in one cycle, to get the European gold consecutively as well would be fantastic. That’s the aim.”

Should he win the Commonwealth and European double in the space of barely two and a half weeks it would be a remarkable turnaround for an athlete who previously feared his career might be over.

The European title is arguably the harder ask with German jumper Christian Reif as well as Salim Sdiri, of France, and Greece’s Louis Tsatoumas all ranked in the world’s top 10 this season, although Rutherford will be favourite as the world No1 with a best leap of 8.51m in 2014.

Long jump remains his priority but Rutherford also has winter sport ambitions also.

Having become disillusioned by his previous injury in 2013 and wowed by events at the Winter Olympics in Sochi where Britain’s Lizzy Yarnold won skeleton gold, he has set his sights on a place in the British team in that event or possibly the bobsleigh.

“I’m still going to give it a go,” he said, despite returning to his best this year, a season in which he broke the British record with his performance in San Diego in April. “I want to achieve everything in long jump first.

“But after maybe 2017 [the World Championships inside the Olympic Stadium in London], who knows if I can give it a go. If I could do it, it would be quite special.

“I only do sports if I’m able to win in them. I tried so many before I settled on the long jump. So I don’t know if I’ll be any good but I like the idea of travelling 85mph down an ice track. I might do it, though, and say I’ll never do it again.”